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An unusual Nashville podcast is attracting listeners by telling the stories of young people overcoming poverty.

Launched in September and 13 episodes in, the "Break the Line" program takes listeners into the work of the Martha O'Bryan Center, including interviews and by capturing touching moments. The nonprofit serves families in Nashville's largest public housing complex, within one of the city's poorest ZIP codes.

But from those circumstances, inspiring stories abound, said CEO Marsha Edwards.

"I have had people tell me they couldn't work here because it would be so sad — it's actually exactly the opposite," she said. "It's so joyful to be here. You see people moving ahead in their lives, sometimes against incredible obstacles."

At about 20 minutes per episode — available streaming online and for download — "Break the Line" goes where few other podcasts venture. In fact staff said they believe theirs is the only poverty-focused nonprofit in the nation with a podcast.

"We have been very vocal around the issues of poverty," Edwards said. "We're a city that has so many great things going for it, but we also have a school district that is a majority impoverished children. We think people want to be informed, and people want to understand one another's stories."

A coincidence — right in front of their eyes but nearly overlooked — made it possible.

Stroke of luck

It just so happened that the Martha O'Bryan Center had a podcast fanatic in training.

Earlier this year, Peter Martino, director of human resources, took time away from the center to study and launch a podcast of his own.

Shortly after his return, Martino attended a staff meeting dedicated to sharing success stories from the center's programs. Podcasting surfaced as a way to broadcast to a wider audience — new hires, volunteers, donors and beyond.

"(Our) story is a complicated one and is difficult to do in a very brief conversation," Martino said. "Our staff depends on our ability to weave together seamlessly for our families, who often are building, step by step, the tools they need to break out of poverty and into prosperity."

Add in some musical interludes and Martino's ideal radio voice — clear but with a tinge of gushing emotion — and the show was underway.

It has been heard in 40 states and averages 200 downloads per episode, and sometimes many more. For comparison Martino said the average amateur podcast gets about 170 downloads per episode.

The program recently took on "relational poverty," which is when someone doesn't have quality relationships to help when things go wrong. It's not often the first type of poverty that comes to mind, but the team asked listeners to imagine what they would do if they woke up one day with no possessions.

Many could visit a friend for food and shelter. But some can't. Building relationships among Cayce Place residents is one way the center tries to reduce poverty.

One of the most popular segments featured Jabari Batth and his iStep Kidz dance program at Rosebank Elementary School. In the recording, an 8-year-old girl shares her happiness just after being named team captain.

"I called some friends and family and let them know to check it out," Batth said. "People are always interested in what the children say."

Moments such as that are too good to pass up, Martino said. And there's more to come. He has ideas for deeper discussions of poverty in the new year, he said.

"If you stick with us for the long haul, you'll get a pretty textured picture of what it's like to be in Cayce Place, to be in East Nashville schools and to work with a variety of families in a spectrum of situations."

The Martha O'Bryan Center podcast is available on the show's website, www.breaktheline.org, as well as any podcast application, including iTunes. New episodes are available on Wednesdays. For more information, call Peter Martino at 615-254-1791.